New Entrepreneur Awards honour achievements of emerging researchers

Vancouver, BC — Mitacs announces the Mitacs Entrepreneur Awards to recognize researchers whose work starting or building a business demonstrates exemplary leadership and innovation.

Mitacs program participants undertake professional development training and conduct industry-facing research as they evolve into the next generation of innovators. They have already proven to be leaders in their fields. Fourteen percent of former interns of the Mitacs Accelerate program report having started a business — three times the national average. Two-thirds of former interns also report being employed in an R&D environment following their Mitacs Accelerate internship, with 91 percent of these highly qualified personnel remaining in Canada.

The Mitacs Entrepreneur Awards will celebrate the most entrepreneurial of interns from all Mitacs programs who are making contributions to job creation and the growth of the Canadian economy through their own independent business ventures.

Open to all Mitacs alumni, the competition will award cash prizes to help emerging businesses grow.

Quote:

Rob Annan, interim Chief Executive Officer and Scientific Director, Mitacs

“Mitacs alumni excel at demonstrating Canadian innovation. When they turn their research innovations into successful businesses, they improve communities and support the Canadian economy. The Mitacs Entrepreneur Awards will recognize these forward-thinking entrepreneurs whose ingenuity, vision, and perseverance benefit us all.”

Entrepreneur Awards facts:

• Alumni of any Mitacs program are eligible.
• Three cash prizes awarded: $20,000, $15,000, $10,000.
• Application deadline is March 1, 2015 at 11:59 p.m. PST.
• Awards granted in April 2015.
   

Learn more:

For information and application details, visit www.mitacs.ca/entrepreneur

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